Methods, systems, and products for processing calls

ABSTRACT

Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for processing calls. An alias is associated to a called party&#39;s destination number. When the alias is then dialed for a call, the call is routed to the destination number. Exemplary embodiments thus enable a user to make calls without having to dial a long string of numbers. The user, instead, may simply select and dial an easy-to-remember alias associated with the called party.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.11/510,374, filed Aug. 25, 2006, and now issued as U.S. Pat. No.7,443,974, which is itself a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.10/123,975, filed Apr. 16, 2002 and now issued as U.S. Pat. No.7,103,168, with both applications incorporated herein by reference intheir entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to telecommunications and moreparticularly relates to systems and methods for implementing personaldialing plans for users of telecommunications systems, such as thepublic switched telephone network (PSTN) and wireless systems.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As telecommunications technologies advance, new and differenttelecommunications services are being offered to consumers. Manyhouseholds now have two or more telephone lines, and many people carryportable telephones, also known as mobile or cellular telephones. Thismeans that a person is often associated with several telephone numbers,also known as calling line numbers or directory numbers. An individual'sbusiness card may list as many as six different directory numbersincluding an office telephone number, an office fax machine number, amobile telephone number, a pager number, a home telephone number, and ahome fax machine number.

Because of the expanded demands for telecommunications service, ametropolitan area that was adequately served by a single area code forover fifty years suddenly needs two or more area codes to accommodateall of the telephones, fax machines, pagers, computer modems, and mobilephones in that area. As a result, a user calling someone in a nearbyneighborhood, in some cases merely across the street, may need to dial astring of ten or eleven digits instead of the traditional seven digitsrequired in the United States. In addition to the inconvenience oflonger dialing strings, it becomes increasingly difficult to rememberall of the directory numbers that the user frequently calls.

The telecommunications industry has provided some relief by includingprogrammable memories in telephones and other communications equipment,allowing users to store the directory numbers of frequently-calledfriends, relatives, and business associates. After storing the selecteddirectory numbers into the equipment memory, the user need only press abutton assigned to, for example, a brother's home telephone, and thetelephone will automatically retrieve the brother's directory numberfrom memory and dial it for the user. However, such memory-equippedtelephones typically have limited storage capacity, and the storeddirectory numbers are only available when using that particulartelephone. If the user uses a different telephone connected to the sametelephone line, unless the second phone has been separately programmedwith the same list of directory numbers, it will be necessary to dialthe entire directory number because the first phone's memory is notaccessible through the second phone.

Another solution provided by the telecommunications industry is anetwork-based speed dialing list. The user stores frequently-calleddirectory numbers in a list maintained in memory within thetelecommunications network and each stored directory number is assigneda speed dialing code. The speed dialing code is defined by thetelecommunications service provider and can be, e.g., “*01” for thefirst memory location, “*02” for the second memory location, and so on.The speed dialing list is generally associated with the telephone lineand, thus, is available to any telephone, or other communicationsequipment, connected to that telephone line. However, the user mustremember who is associated with each assigned speed dialing code, forexample, “*01” calls the brother's home telephone, “*02” calls thebrother's mobile phone, “*03” calls the office fax machine, etc. For aspeed dialing list with a large number of entries, it can be difficultto remember the correct speed dialing code associated with the party tobe called without keeping a reference list at hand to look up thenumbers. Without such a reference, existing speed dialing methodsactually create a new problem of memorizing speed dialing code digitsthat are more or less arbitrarily assigned and have no relationship withthe actual directory number in such a way that would trigger the user'smemory of the party associated with any given speed dialing code.

Yet another solution provided by the telecommunications industry is theCentrex system, manufactured by companies such as Nortel Networks andLucent Technologies. The Centrex system is an abbreviated dialing systemthat is used primarily by businesses. For example, many businesses allowusers to dial a three or four digit extension to reach other people intheir office or company. With Centrex, there is a defined group, whereeach member of the group is assigned an extension number, and a singledefined dialing plan for all users. To reach users outside of thedefined group, an escape code, such as dialing “9,” is typicallyrequired to be entered by a user. Thus, Centrex provides abbreviateddialing based on a dialing plan with predefined rules, not based on anycustomization by the user.

Accordingly, there is a need for a system and method for implementing apersonal dialing plan where a user can incorporate an abbreviateddialing scheme with a list or register of directory numbers of thepeople or locations that the user most frequently calls. There is afurther need for a system and method for implementing a personal dialingplan where a user can set customized rules for abbreviated dialing basedon the user's preferences and telephone service plan. Additionally,there is a need for a system and method for implementing a personaldialing plan where a user may access the user's directory numberregister from remote locations and where customized dialing rules areaccessible and applicable from more than a single telephone or singletelephone line associated with a user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a network-based personal dialing planwhich allows a user to associate dialing strings of any length witheasy-to-remember, user-selected aliases. A user may also define dialingrules, such as automatically adding digits necessary for the network tounderstand the destination directory number when the called number wouldbe a long distance call from the calling location. An exemplary systemaccording to the present invention is installed in a telecommunicationsnetwork and accessible by a service switching point (SSP) and a servicecontrol point (SCP).

According to the present invention, a user may access the system tocreate or modify the user's personal dialing plan by voice telephonecall (in a network having VXML capability), web interface, or otherdevice, such as a wireless application protocol (WAP) phone or wirelesspersonal digital assistant (PDA). The user enters a complete dialingstring for a destination directory number and assigns an alias for thisdialing string. After storing this destination number, the user can dialthe defined alias in lieu of the complete destination number to call thedestination number. For example, a user may enter 202-555-1414 andassign “1414” as the alias for this entry. Later, to call this samedirectory number, the user simply dials 1414 to be connected with thedesired telephone number.

In one embodiment, a special feature digit, such as “*” or “#,” may beused to indicate to the SSP that the digit string is to be interpretedaccording to the user's personal dialing plan. In another embodiment,the “#” key, or another special purpose key, may be used as anend-of-dialing delimiter or trigger to the SSP to interpret the digitstring as an alias. If the personal dialing plan is implemented on apersonal computer (PC) or smart phone, the alias is not limited tonumbers, but may consist of a string of alphanumeric characters. Adirectory and rules may be stored locally on “smart” devices, or theymay be stored centrally, providing access to a common register ofdirectory numbers and/or set of rules from multiple locations. In analternate embodiment, the directory and rules may be stored in aportable memory device, such as a smart card, that can be attached tovarious public or private telephone devices.

The present invention also allows users to set up other dialing rules. Auser may, for example, set up a rule to automatically add the digit “1”whenever the user wants to make a long distance call. The user mayestablish a dialing rule that checks whether the area code dialed islocal to the user's area, as determined by the user's directory number,whenever the user dials a ten digit string for a destination directorynumber. If the area code is not local, the system according to thepresent invention may automatically add “1” to the ten digit stringbefore dialing it. If the area code is same as the user's area code, thesystem will decide, based on user-specified or network-based rules,whether to dial the dialed string including the area code or to dial thedestination directory number without the area code. The decision isbased on the SSP routing rules of the local telephone service provider'sdialing plan. In areas where ten-digit directory numbers are used, sincelocal charges may still apply when calling a different local area code,the user may define the rule that “1” is to be added to all directorynumbers having area codes other than the two or three area codes inwhich local calls may be made.

These and other objects, features, and advantages of the presentinvention may be more clearly understood and appreciated from a reviewof the following detailed description of the disclosed embodiments andby reference to the appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary metropolitan area with multipletelephone area codes.

FIGS. 2 and 3 show definitions of a ten digit dialing string, typicallyused in the United States, and an international dialing string,respectively.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary environment and a block diagram of anexemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method forimplementing an exemplary system of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram showing an exemplary method of operation of thepresent invention.

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method of operationof the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method of operationof an exemplary system of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description utilizes a number of acronyms whichare generally well known in the art. While definitions are typicallyprovided with the first instance of each acronym, for convenience, Table1 below provides a list of the acronyms and their respectivedefinitions.

TABLE 1 ACRONYM DEFINITION AIN Advanced Intelligent Network ANIAutomatic Number Identification DTMF Dual Tone Multi-Frequency IPIntelligent Peripheral ISDN Integrated Service Digital Network MSCMobile Switching Center NANP North American Numbering Plan OHD Off-HookDelayed OHI Off-Hook Immediate PC Personal Computer PDA Personal DigitalAssistant PIN Personal Identification Number PRI Primary Rate InterfacePSTN Public Switched Telephone Network SCN Service Circuit Node SCPService Control Point SMS Service Management System SPA Service PackageApplication SS7 Signaling System 7 SSP Service Switching Point STPSignal Transfer Point TCAP Transaction Capabilities Application PartTCP/IP Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol VXML or VoiceXMLVoice Extensible Markup Language WAP Wireless Application Protocol

Referring now in greater detail to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates atypical metropolitan area 100 with more than one area code. A citycenter 102 has one area code and surrounding areas 104, 106, and 108have area codes different from the area code assigned to city center 102and different from each other. In some metropolitan areas (e.g.,Atlanta), there may also be an “overlay” area code that covers the samegeographical area as two or more other area codes. As shown in FIG. 1,telephones 110 and 112 are within city center 102, telephone 114 iswithin area 104, telephone 116 is within area 106, and telephone 118 iswithin area 108. In this exemplary metropolitan area, telephone numbersinclude area codes based on the area within which the telephone islocated.

Depending on the implementation of dialing plan by the local telephoneservice provider, a user at telephone 110 may dial a ten or eleven digitstring to reach a user at another one of the telephones. Certain dialingplans, for example, those including an overlay area code, require theuser at telephone 110 to dial a complete ten digit string to reach auser at telephone 112, even though they are assigned the same area code.For example, in the Atlanta area, there are three area codes, 404, 770,and 678, serving the metropolitan area. When a user at an office in the404 calling area calls a number in the 770 calling area, the user mustdial the entire ten digit number, but need not dial an access code “1”before the area code. The user must also dial the area code, 404, tocall a directory number at an adjacent building with the same area code.In such cases, the area code cannot be omitted because the dialing planrequires the use of all ten digits.

In another example, in the Chicago area, three area codes serve themetropolitan area: 312, 630, and 847. A user working in downtownChicago, within the 312 area, does not need to include the area codewhen dialing a number with the same area code. The user needs to dialonly a seven digit string. However, the user must dial “1” and theentire ten digit string when calling a number in the suburbs in the 630calling area, even though the call will not be charged as a longdistance call.

Directory numbers in North America are defined according to the NorthAmerican Numbering Plan (NANP). Generally, a directory number is definedas a ten digit number as shown in FIG. 2. The ten digit number iscomposed of a three digit area code, a three digit central officeprefix, and a four digit telephone line number. As explained above,whether to dial the entire ten digits or to add a “1” before dialing aten digit string is dependent on the local service provider's dialingplan.

A dialing string becomes even lengthier when making a call to a party inanother country. FIG. 3 illustrates the format of a dialing string foran international directory number. The international dialing string iscomposed typically of an international access code, which is generally“011,” a country code, a city code, and a telephone line number. Thecountry code may be one to three digits, the city code may be one tofour digits, and the telephone line number may be six to eight digits.For example, when dialing to a destination directory number in the cityof Sao Paulo in Brazil, a total of fifteen digits is required.

FIG. 4 is a diagram of an exemplary embodiment and exemplary environmentfor operation of exemplary methods and systems of the present invention.Connected to a public switched telephone network (PSTN) 402, anexemplary environment is an Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN) 404. Forbrevity, only a basic explanation of AIN 404 is provided. Where AIN 404operates or is composed differently in an important aspect from thatwhich would be understood by those skilled in the art, additionaldetails are provided herein. For further information regarding thereferenced AIN 404 and aspects thereof, the interested reader isreferred to the commonly assigned patent to Weisser, U.S. Pat. No.5,430,719, which is incorporated herein by reference.

AIN 404 includes a variety of interconnected network elements. A groupof such network elements includes the plurality of central offices whichare indicated as service switching points (SSPs) 406 and 408 in FIG. 4.An SSP typically includes switch functionality, but also includes otherfunctionality so as to communicate with other AIN elements as thoseskilled in the art understand. As further illustrated in FIG. 4, SSPs406 and 408 have a plurality of subscriber lines, or calling lines,connected thereto. Each SSP serves a designated group of calling lines,and thus, the SSP that serves a particular calling line may be referredto as its serving SSP. For example, SSP 406 serves calling lines 410 and412, while SSP 408 serves calling lines 414 and 416. Each calling lineis connected typically to a piece of terminating equipment including aplurality of telephones individually referenced as 418, 420, 422, and424. Although telephones are illustrated as the pieces of terminatingequipment in FIG. 4, those skilled in the art will understand that suchpieces include other telecommunications devices such as facsimilemachines, computers, modems, etc.

Pursuant to a preferred embodiment, each active calling line in an AINis assigned a multi-digit calling directory number. In the U.S., thedirectory number typically consists of ten digits. In the description ofthe present invention, the term “directory number” is used in itsgenerally understood meaning to be the number which is dialed or inputby a caller or source and used by the network to route the communicationso as to reach a piece of terminating equipment on a calling lineassociated with the dialed directory number. A directory number iscommonly referred to as a telephone number or calling line number.

SSPs 406 and 408 are interconnected by a plurality of trunk circuits426. These are the voice path trunks that interconnect the SSPs toconnect communications. The term “communication” or “call” is usedherein to include all messages that may be exchanged between a caller(or calling party or originating party or subscriber) and a called partyor destination.

Each of SSPs 406 and 408 is connected to another type of AIN elementreferred to as a local signal transfer point (STP) 428 via respectivedata links using the Signaling System 7 (SS7) protocol, which is wellknown in the art. Much of the intelligence of the AIN resides in yetanother type of AIN element referred to as a local service control point(SCP) 430 that is connected to STP 428 over an SS7 data link. Among thefunctions performed by SCP 430 are the maintenance of network databasesand subscriber databases as represented collectively by databases 432.Databases 432 may be used in providing telecommunication services to asubscriber. Typically, SCP 430 includes service package applications(SPAs) that are used in connection with or as part of databases 432 inthe application of telecommunication services or enhanced features tocalling lines.

Local STP 428 may be connected to other network elements of AIN 404through a regional STP 434, which in turn may be connected to a regionalSCP 436. Both SCP 436 and SCP 430 are connected via respective datalinks to a service management system (SMS) 438. SMS 438 interfaces tobusiness offices of the local exchange carrier (LEC) and interexchangecarriers (IXCs).

In order to keep the processing of data and calls as simple as possible,a relatively small set of triggers is defined at the SSPs for each call.There are three types of triggers: originating, terminating, and dialingplan. With regard to the present invention, a trigger in the AIN is anevent associated with a particular calling line (i.e., originating) thatgenerates a packet to be sent to an SCP. The trigger causes the SCP toquery its Service Package Applications (SPAs) and databases forprocessing instructions with respect to the particular call. The resultsare sent back to the SSP in a response from SCP 430 through STP 428. Thereturn packet includes instructions to the SSP as to how to process thecall. The instructions may be to tell the SSP to take some specialaction as a result of a customized calling service or enhanced feature,such as a personal dialing plan. In response, the SSP moves through itsremaining call states, collects the dialed digits, and may generatefurther packets that are used to set up and route the call.

SMS 438 also is connected via a data link 440 to one or more intelligentperipherals such as the illustrated intelligent peripheral (IP) 442. Inan exemplary environment, IP 442 may be a service circuit node (SCN). Bythis data link 440, SMS 438 provides IP 442 with information relating tonew subscribers and updates for existing subscribers, and withinformation relating to network operations such as new services,upgrades to existing services, measurements, audits, and maintenance.The IP 442 that receives information from SMS 438 may be one of manykinds of elements used in telecommunication services. IP 442 includesvoice and dual tone multi-frequency (DTMF) signal recognition devicesand voice synthesis devices.

In addition, IP 442 is connected to one or more (but usually only a few)SSPs via Integrated Service Digital Network (ISDN) links 444 as shown bythe connection to SSP 408. Optionally, IP 442 may be connected to one ormore SCPs via a TCP/IP connection, such as TCP/IP connection 446 whichconnects IP 442 to SCP 430. Also, a personal computer (PC) 448 may beconnected to SCP 430 and IP 442 via Internet 450. Firewalls 452 and 454may also be present.

According to exemplary systems and method of the present invention,aliases and dialing rules may be entered into a personal dialing planservice. An exemplary system according to the present invention enablesa user to call a party without having to dial a long string of numbersby selecting meaningful aliases that the user can readily associate withthe party to be called. Prior to using a personal dialing plan to placea call, telephone 418 is utilized by the user to configure the user'spersonal dialing plan. The user dials a special configuration accesscode, for example, *333, to access the personal dialing plan service.The user may also dial a special configuration directory number to setup or modify a personal dialing plan. After the user dials the specialaccess code or the special directory number, the call is answered by SSP406 serving telephone 418. After examining the dialed string, SSP 406recognizes the instruction to access a personal dialing plan andforwards the call information to SCP 430 via STP 428. SCP 430 receivesthe call information and routes it to IP 442.

IP 442 provides means for interacting with the user. IP 442 may bephysically adjacent to or remote from SCP 430 and is accessible via adata link, such as TCP/IP connection 446. IP 442 prompts the user toenter dialing strings and an alias associated with each dialing string.A complete dialing string could be a seven digit string or a ten digitstring, depending on the local service provider's dialing plan, forcalls made within the U.S. For international telephone numbers, acomplete dialing string may be anywhere from eight to fifteen digits,not including the international access code. The information from theuser is then stored in a database in IP 442. Alternatively, theinformation from the user may be stored in SCP 430 or databases 432, andIP 442 may be used to collect digits, play tones, and play or displaynames.

In another embodiment, the user may use computer 448, rather thantelephone 418, connected to SCP 430 and IP 442 via Internet 450 to setup a personal dialing plan by entering information through a graphicaluser interface (GUI) using a keyboard, mouse, or other peripheraldevice. The user may also use a telephone equipped with dual tonemulti-frequency (DTMF) dialing. If IP 442 is equipped with voicerecognition technology, e.g., VoiceXML, the user may also create apersonal dialing plan by accessing the voice recognition function andspeaking into the telephone.

As an example, a user at telephone 418 may create an alias for telephone424. The user dials an access code to gain access to IP 442 and sets upan alias for telephone 424. The user may use the last four digits of thedirectory number associated with telephone 424 number as the alias.Other aliases that will help the user associate the alias with the partyat telephone 424 may be selected. For example, the alias could be theperson's birthday, or the digits can be selected according to theletters associated with the digits on a telephone keypad, where theletters spell the called party's name or nickname. Other possiblevariations will be apparent to those of skill in the art. If thepersonal dialing plan is implemented on a PC that has dialingcapabilities or a smart phone, the alias may consist of a string ofletters, numbers, or a combination thereof. Note, however, that this maymake it difficult to dial the alias from a conventional telephone.

After setting up the alias, the user may simply dial the alias wheneverthe user wants to reach the party at telephone 424. For example, theuser may dial *5678 from telephone 418, and this string, “*5678,” isinterpreted by SSP 406. SSP 406 interprets it as an alias for a personaldialing plan and forwards it to SCP 430 for further interpretation. SCP430 receives the alias and retrieves the corresponding dialing string,for example, 404-234-5678, from IP 442. The retrieved dialing string isreturned to SSP 406 as the translated destination directory number towhich the user's call is to be routed. SSP 406 then replaces “*5678”with “404-234-5678” and routes the call accordingly. The call is thenrouted to SSP 408, which serves telephone 424, via STP 428. SSP 408 thenconnects the call to telephone 424.

In an alternate embodiment, the personal dialing plan service may beimplemented on a web server that also has dialing capabilities. The userenters information through fields on a personal dialing plan web page.Software functionality, such as Java, is used to collect the digits andsend them to the web server. The server then interprets the results andimplements the service logic necessary to route the call. In anotherembodiment, a personal dialing plan service may be implemented in apersonal computer or “smart” phone that is capable of executing servicelogic and either storing information or accessing stored informationacross an appropriately-connected network.

FIG. 5 is an exemplary flow chart for a method of configuring a personaldialing plan according to an embodiment of the present invention. Theuser accesses a server, intelligent peripheral (IP), or other platformwhere a personal dialing plan service is implemented by dialing afeature code or an access telephone number, block 502. The serverreceives the user's request and may execute some authentication process,such as asking for a personal identification number (PIN) beforeallowing the user to access or create a personal dialing plan.

After verifying that the user is a subscriber to the personal dialingplan service, the user's access is granted. The server prompts the userwith a menu of activities and asks the user to enter a selection. Forexample, the user may be requested to press “1” to add an entry, press“2” to delete an entry, press “3” to define a dialing rule, or press “4”to delete a dialing rule. If the user wants to create a new alias, block504, the user is prompted to enter the complete dialing string, block506. The complete dialing string is a dialing string recognizable by thelocal telephone service provider's dialing plan. For example, if thelocal telephone service provider's dialing plan requires dialing of aten digit string when calling a neighbor located next door, then theuser must enter the complete ten-digit directory number. If the entry isfor dialing a long distance number, then the access code “1” mustprecede the complete directory number. If the local service provider'sdialing plan allows for seven digit dialing for calls made within thesame area code, then a complete dialing string may include only sevendigits.

After entering the complete dialing string, the server prompts the userto enter an alias to identify the complete dialing string. The user mayenter an easy to remember string as the alias, block 508. For example,if the user is setting up an alias for a client's telephone number andthe client is the only party that the user calls with a directory numberthat includes the “630” area code, the user can use “630” as the aliasfor the client's telephone number. If a terminal character is used, thenthe alias is not required to be of fixed length. For example, the usermay set up another alias, “2345,” for a friend's mobile phone byentering “2345#,” in which case the “#” key is used to indicate the endof the alias. Alternatively, the user can define a dialing rule, asdiscussed in more detail below, where all aliases are, for example, fourdigits in length.

Before accepting the alias, the server determines whether the alias hasbeen assigned to another entry in the dialing plan. If the alias hasbeen previously assigned to another entry, the server will prompt theuser to enter a different alias for the dialing string or ask whetherthe user wishes to replace an existing entry with a new dialing string.After the user enters the alias, the server checks whether the userwants to save another entry, block 510, or perform another command,block 512. If the user does not want to enter additional dialing stringsor commands, the user is disconnected from the server, block 514.Optionally, the server may query the user as to whether the user wantsto test an alias once that alias has been entered by the user. If theuser chooses to test the alias, a call is initiated by the server.

The user may choose to delete an existing entry from the dialing plan,block 516. The user enters an alias that identifies the entry, block518, and the entry is retrieved from the dialing plan and presented tothe user for confirmation. The user confirms the retrieved entry is tobe deleted, block 520, and the entry is deleted from the dialing plan.At the end of deletion, the server queries whether the user wants todelete another entry, block 522, or enter another command, block 512.

The user may also define other dialing rules to be applied to callsoriginating from the directory number (or numbers) for which the userhas subscribed to the personal dialing plan service, block 524. Forexample, if the user's telephone service provider has a dialing planthat requires a ten digit dialing string even when calling a next doorneighbor, the user can specify that the user's area code be addedwhenever seven digits are dialed. The user may also specify several areacodes for which the long distance access code “1” need not be dialed,and the system will determine whether a dialed string has one of thespecified area codes before adding “1” to the dialed string. The userdefines a dialing rule, block 526. The user is then prompted whether theuser wishes to define another dialing rule, block 528.

Another rule option that the user may program is a timer that can beused to set a delay period after the last character or number of thealias is dialed at which time the system proceeds with its search forthe dialing string associated with the alias that was entered, withoutwaiting for a separate termination indicator. A timer option may providea senior user or a physically-disabled user a means to establish adialing rule that adapts to the user's physical condition. For example,a dialing rule may be defined to allow extra time between input of eachdigit so that the SSP's dialing timer will not expire before the userenters all of the digits.

The user can also enter a command to delete an established dialing rule,block 530. The user may select the rule to be deleted from a list ofrules displayed by the server, or the user may specify the rule byentering a code that identifies the rule, block 532. The user is thenprompted whether the user wishes to delete another dialing rule, block534. If the user enters a command that is not recognized by the server,an error message is played, block 536, and the user is prompted to enteranother command.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart for a dialing plan set up process according to anembodiment of the present invention. A server, IP, or other platformwhere a personal dialing plan service is implemented receives the accessrequest from the user, block 602, and the server may invoke anauthentication process before allowing the user to create or modify adialing plan. After the user provides a proper PIN or otheridentification information, the server retrieves the user's dialingplan, block 604. A dialing plan is associated with and identified by atleast one directory number, and the server may obtain the directorynumber from the user's input or from the automatic number identification(ANI) feature of the serving SSP. If there is no dialing plan associatedwith the directory number, a new one is created. The server prompts theuser with a menu of activities and asks the user to enter a selection.

After the dialing plan is retrieved or created, the server checks forthe command received from the user. If the user wants to add a newentry, block 606, the server prompts the user to enter a completedialing string. The server receives a complete dialing string, block608, and prompts the user to enter an alias for the dialing string.After the alias is received, block 610, the server saves the dialingstring and the alias in an entry, block 612. The server then checkswhether the user wants to test the alias, block 613. If the user choosesto test the alias, the server initiates a call, block 614. To initiate acall, the IP has an off-hook immediate trigger, as discussed in furtherdetail below. Once the alias is tested or if the user does not want totest the alias, the server prompts the user whether the user wants tosave another entry, block 615, or enter another command, block 616. Ifthe user is done with the dialing plan, the server saves the dialingplan, block 618.

If the user's command is to delete an entry from the dialing plan, block620, the user enters an alias associated with the entry to be deleted,block 622, and the server retrieves the entry and presents the retrievedentry to the user for confirmation, block 624. An alternate approach tothis step is to make the “delete” action a two-step action, where thefirst step is to present a list of current entries for selection and thesecond step is deletion of the selected entry. After the user confirmsthe entry is to be deleted, the server deletes the entry from thedialing plan, block 626, and checks whether the user wants to deleteanother entry, block 628, or enter another command, block 616. If theuser has completed modifying the dialing plan, the server saves thedialing plan, block 618.

If the user wants to define a dialing rule, block 630, the userspecifies the rule, and the system receives the rule, block 632, andstores the rule in the dialing plan, block 634. The dialing rule may beassigned an identification number, so that the user can later delete therule by its identification number. After storing the dialing rule, theserver checks whether the user wants to define another dialing rule,block 636, or enter another command, block 616, before saving thedialing plan, block 618.

If the user wants to delete a dialing rule, block 638, the serverreceives a dialing rule identification from the user, block 640, anddeletes the identified dialing rule from the dialing plan, block 642.Similar to what has been described above, the server checks whether theuser wants to delete another dialing rule, block 644, or enter anothercommand, block 616, before saving the dialing plan, block 618. If theuser command is not recognized, the server provides an error message,block 646, and prompts the user for another command, block 616.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating an embodiment of the presentinvention that is implemented in an AIN or softswitch environment thatis part of or connected to the PSTN. FIG. 7 is discussed with referenceto elements of the AIN, but it should be understood that equivalentelements of a softswitch environment may be used, such as the softswitchequivalent of the triggers discussed below, an application serverinstead of an SCP, and so on. The directory and rules are stored in anSCP or in an element or platform accessible to the SCP, such as an IP.The SSP is equipped with an off-hook immediate (OHI) trigger and usesthe OHI trigger when handling personal dialing plans. When the userpicks up the telephone (i.e., the telephone goes off-hook), the OHItrigger is invoked, and the SSP sends an inquiry to the SCP where thedirectory and rules are stored before providing a dial tone to the user.Alternatively, an off-hook delayed (OHD) trigger may be used. In thecase of using an OHD trigger, the digits entered are collected andanalyzed by the SSP and sent to the SCP to determine the correspondingcomplete directory number according to the user's personal dialing plan.In the case of using an OHI trigger, the caller is immediately connectedto an element such as an IP. The IP prompts the user for digit entry andthen collects and analyzes the entered digits before performing the samecomplete directory number determination that the SCP performs when anOHD trigger is used.

Upon recognizing that the user is subscribed to the personal dialingplan service, the SSP collects dialed digits or the SCP redirects thecall to the IP where digits are collected. The SSP/IP collects thedialed digits and handles the dialed digit strings according to thepersonal dialing plan. In the case of an OHI trigger, this may beaccomplished in conjunction with a special dialing plan timer associatedwith the personal dialing plan that defines the allowed time durationbetween entered digits, using an expiration of this timer as anindication of the end of dialed digit entry. After applying the specialdialing plan timer from the personal dialing plan, if any, the SSP/IPchecks whether the dialed digit string is a complete string by applyingthe local service provider's dialing plan rules (e.g., ten digits arerequired to dial directory numbers with the same area code as the user'sdirectory number) and the user's personal dialing plan. This step mayinclude a query to an external database where the user's aliases andcorresponding complete directory numbers are stored. The dialed digitstring is first checked against the local service provider's dialingplan and then checked against the user's personal dialing plan.

The SSP/IP receives the dialed digit string, block 702, and checkswhether the dialed digit string is a complete dialing string accordingto the local service provider's dialing plan, block 704. If the dialeddigit string is a complete string, then the SSP routes the user's callto its destination, block 710. If the dialed digit string is not acomplete string, the SSP then checks whether the dialed digit string isa valid string according to the user's personal dialing plan, block 706.This may be accomplished by comparing the dialed digit string againstpredefined entries in the user's personal dialing plan contained eitherin the SCP or another external database. The SCP receives theinformation on the dialed digit string and checks it against the user'spersonal dialing plan, accessing an external database if necessary. Ifthe dialed digit string is a valid string according to the user'spersonal dialing plan, the SCP/external database identifies the completedialing string associated with the dialed digit string (i.e., alias) andsends the complete dialing string back to the SSP/IP. The SSP/IPreceives the complete dialing string, block 708, and substitutes thecomplete dialing string for the dialed digit string. The SSP/IP routesthe user's call using the complete dialing string, block 710. If thedialed digit string is not a valid string, an error message is played tothe user, block 712.

The dialed digit string can be a complete dialing string in severalways. The dialed digit string is a complete string if it follows one ofrules of the local service provider's dialing plan, for example, a tendigit string preceded by the long distance access code “1”; aninternational number preceded by the international access code “011”; aten digit string if the provider's dialing plan utilizes ten digitdialing for local areas; a seven digit string if the provider's dialingplan uses seven digit dialing for local calls or calls within the samearea code; any short dialing string for special services such as 911; ora special character followed by a numeric string for special features,such as *69 for call return.

The dialed digit string can also be a valid string if it follows one ofrules defined by the user's personal dialing plan according to thepresent invention. A valid string can be converted to a complete stringby following rules defined in a personal dialing plan. The user maydefine multiple dialing rules for a personal dialing plan, for example:

-   -   a short string preceded and/or followed by a special character        such as “*” or “#,” or a combination of these special        characters, used to retrieve a complete dialing string according        to the local service provider's dialing plan; the user's area        code is added to any seven digit string, if the local service        provider's dialing plan requires ten digit dialing for numbers        within the same area code; the access code “1” is added to any        ten digit string, if the call is a long distance call; and a        dialing timer that is different from any timer that may be used        as part of the local service provider's dialing plan.        The rules listed above are exemplary rules and the user may        specify any other dialing rule that the user finds helpful.

If the dialed string is a valid string according to one of dialing rulesof the personal dialing plan, the SSP applies the rule to obtain acomplete dialing string that is recognized by the local serviceprovider's dialing plan. After obtaining the complete dialing string,the SSP/IP routes the user's call using the complete string. Forexample, if the dialed string is “*1234” and the user has defined adialing rule that associates “1234” with “404-987-1234,” then“404-987-1234” is used by the SSP/IP as the complete dialing string, andthe user's call is routed to that directory number.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating a process for applying dialing rulesaccording to an embodiment of the present invention. In this exemplaryembodiment, the local service provider's dialing plan requires ten digitdialing for all domestic calls, even for directory numbers included inthe same area code or in the same local calling area as the user. Theaccess code “1” is required for domestic long distance calls, but notfor calls to other area codes that are within the user's local callingarea. The dialed string is analyzed against dialing rules in thepersonal dialing plan, block 802. It is determined whether the dialedstring is a defined alias for a complete string, block 804. If thedialed string is a defined alias, the server retrieves the correspondingcomplete dialing string, block 806, and the call is routed to thetelephone associated with the complete dialing string, block 808.

If the dialed string is a seven digit string, block 810, the defaultarea code (e.g., the user's own area code) is added, block 812, and thecall is routed to its destination, block 814. If the dialed string is aten digit string, block 816, the first three digits of the dialed stringare analyzed to determine whether the area code of the dialed string iswithin the user's local calling area (i.e., not a long distance call),which may encompass one or more area codes, block 818. If the call is alocal call, then the call is routed to its destination, block 814. Ifthe call is outside the user's local calling area, then a “1” is addedto the dialed string, block 820, and the call is routed to itsdestination, block 814. If the dialed string is not a seven or ten digitstring or a recognized alias, the user's personal dialing plan rules areanalyzed to see what other rules, if any, apply, block 822. If no otherrules apply, the user receives an error message.

There is an interaction between the number of acceptable digits, whethera special personal dialing plan timer is activated, and whether an aliascan be created where its digits are a subset of another alias. Forexample, if a special timer is enabled as part of the user's personaldialing plan, it is acceptable to use “123” and “1234” as uniquealiases. However, if no timer is enabled, as soon as the personaldialing plan service recognized “123,” the call would be routed to thedirectory number associated with the “123” alias. If the alias length isdefined as a fixed number of digits, then this problem does not occur.

Any such problems can generally be solved with editing rules based onthe current configuration of the user's personal dialing plan. Forexample, if the user has no timers enabled and no minimum alias length,the user is not allowed to enter a new alias that is a subset of anexisting alias or vice versa. In other words, if “1234” is an existingalias, the user is not allowed to enter “123” as a new alias, and if“123” is an existing alias, the user is not allowed to enter “1234” as anew alias. This solution is complicated by the fact that the user isgenerally allowed to delete, add, or edit dialing rules or alias anddialing string entries at will. In this event, the user's personaldialing plan is reviewed following the establishment of any new rules oraddition of any new alias entries to determine whether there areinconsistencies. Any inconsistencies are reported to the user, who hasthe opportunity to correct either the rules or the alias entries toeliminate the inconsistencies.

Typical user controls can be accessed via a voice telephone call(VoiceXML), web interface, or other device such as a WAP phone or PDA.Depending on the capabilities of the device used to access the personaldialing plan service, the service modification features available to theuser may vary. Typically, users will be able to add, list for selection,delete a selection, or edit a selection for entries and dialing rules asdiscussed above. Users may also activate and deactivate the personaldialing plan service or either the rule-processing or alias/dialingstring register component of the service.

For most users, their acquaintances can be identified by the last fourdigits of their acquaintances' directory numbers. However, entering thenames and directory numbers of all of these people would be onerous formany users. To address this, all incoming calls and outgoing calls,depending upon the technology available for outbound calling, may belogged and a default register created, using the calling name suppliedwith the incoming and outgoing directory numbers. The creation of thisdirectory could be based on a single default rule, such as creating afour-digit alias for each directory number based on the last four digitsof the directory number.

Additionally, while the personal dialing plan service may typically beassociated with a subscribed line, the user may be able to dial anaccess directory number from any telephone to access a server or IP thatsupports the user's personal dialing plan service. By enteringidentification and authorization information, the user can access theuser's personal dialing plan, although not calling from a subscribedline or directory number associated with the personal dialing plan. Forexample, if the user has subscribed to the personal dialing plan servicefor his home telephone line, the user may want to access the user's planwhen using a mobile phone. Thus, the user would dial an access directorynumber from the mobile phone, enter authorizing and identifyinginformation, and then be able to access the user's personal dialing planand make calls by dialing aliases, just as if the user was calling fromhis home telephone.

The foregoing description of the exemplary embodiments of the inventionhas been presented only for the purposes of illustration and descriptionand is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to theprecise forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possiblein light of the above teaching. For example, the above described methodsand systems are transferable to wireless and IP telephony networks andmay be used in these networks along with the wireless equivalent of theAIN.

The embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain theprinciples of the invention and their practical application so as toenable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention and variousembodiments and with various modifications as are suited to theparticular use contemplated. Alternative embodiments will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art to which the present inventionpertains without departing from its spirit and scope. Accordingly, thescope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims ratherthan the foregoing description and the exemplary embodiments describedtherein.

1. A method for processing a call, comprising: determining, by a server,whether a dialed digit string is a complete string; if the dialed digitstring is a complete string, then the server routes the call to thedialed digit string; if the dialed digit string is not a completestring, then the server determines whether the dialed digit string is avalid string according to a calling party's personal dialing plan; ifthe dialed digit string is valid, then the server retrieves adestination number that corresponds to the dialed digit string; androuting the call to the destination number.
 2. The method according toclaim 1, further comprising associating dialing strings of any lengthwith user-selected aliases.
 3. The method according to claim 1, furthercomprising automatically adding digits to the dialed digit string. 4.The method according to claim 1, further comprising receiving the dialeddigit string.
 5. The method according to claim 1, further comprisingassigning an alias to the destination number.
 6. The method according toclaim 1, further comprising receiving the alias as the dialed digitstring.
 7. The method according to claim 1, further comprising receivinga special feature digit to indicate the dialed digit string is to beinterpreted according to the calling party's personal dialing plan. 8.The method according to claim 1, further comprising receiving a prefixthat indicates the dialed digit string is to be interpreted according tothe calling party's personal dialing plan.
 9. The method according toclaim 1, further comprising receiving a special purpose key to indicatethe dialed digit string is to be interpreted according to the callingparty's personal dialing plan.
 10. The method according to claim 1,further comprising receiving a suffix that indicates the dialed digitstring is to be interpreted according to the calling party's personaldialing plan.
 11. The method according to claim 1, further comprisingreceiving a string of alphanumeric characters that indicates the dialeddigit string is to be interpreted as an alias.
 12. The method accordingto claim 1, further comprising automatically adding a “1” to thedestination number.